Emission-Free Cars Could Save Over 100,000 Lives In US: Lung Association

New findings from the American Lung Association paints a hopeful picture for life further down the line as more of us bid combustion engines goodbye and make the switch to zero-emission vehicles.

The Zeroing in on Healthy Air report estimates that if car owners made a widespread transition to electric vehicles, the benefit from lower pollution could save up to 110,000 lives and US$1.2 trillion in public health costs over the next three decades.

“Zero-emission transportation is a win-win for public health,” said Harold Wimmer, National President of the American Lung Association. 

“Too many communities across the US deal with high levels of dangerous pollution from nearby highways and trucking corridors, ports, warehouses, and other pollution hot spots,” he explained. 

“Plus, the transportation sector is the nation’s biggest source of carbon pollution that drives climate change and associated public health harms. This is an urgent health issue for millions of people in the US.” 

To reap the health and climate benefits, the report suggests all new passenger vehicles sold by 2035 and heavy-duty vehicles released by 2040 be zero-emission and eco-friendly. 

In addition to the thousands of lives saved, the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles will see 2.79 million avoided asthma attacks, 13.4 million avoided lost workdays, and will generate US$1.7 trillion in climate benefits by 2050. 

“The shift to zero-emission transportation and electricity generation will save lives and generate massive health benefits across the United States,” remarked Wimmer. 

“It is critical that we ensure these benefits are realized in the near term in communities most impacted by harmful pollution today,” he added. 

[via Engadget and American Lung Association, cover image via Giulianocozzi | Dreamstime.com]